Coming out helplines

During puberty, you have lots of emotions and sexual feelings. It’s normal for girls to think about girls in a sexual way, and for boys to think about boys in a sexual way. You don’t choose your sexuality, it chooses you. These links offer information for young people who think they might be gay, lesbian or bisexual. Includes sources of support, safer sex, coming out and dealing with bullying.

Switchboard offers a support and referral service for lesbians, gay men, bisexual people and anyone who needs to consider issues around their sexuality. Call us if you want to talk about your feelings, are frightened, confused or isolated. Maybe you're falling in or out of love, coming to terms with your sexuality, or have feelings for a classmate or workmate. We won't tell you what to do. We won't judge you. We won't tell anyone else about your call.

Growing up and entering the world of sex and relationships can seem confusing and worrying at first. If you are not sure if you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, you may find it helpful to talk to someone you trust about your feelings. THT is there to answer your questions and give you some support.

Coming Out can be really hard. It's a complicated process which often causes feelings of confusion, doubt, guilt, shame, excitement, fear, relief and anxiety. There is no rule book explaining the best way or time to tell your loved ones that you are gay, lesbian or bisexual. That's because there is no 'right' way or time. R U Coming Out is also a really useful tool for parents and friends of those who have Come Out, offering them first hand accounts from other parents, relatives and friends of gay, lesbian and bisexual people.

Life’s tough, we know that. It can throw a lot your way and make it hard to know what the hell to do with it all. So, welcome to The Mix. Whether you’re 13, 25, or any age in between, we’re here to take on the embarrassing problems, weird questions, and please-don’t-make-me-say-it-out-loud thoughts you have. We give you the information and support you need to deal with it all. Because you can. Because you’re awesome. We’ll connect you to experts and your peers who’ll give you the support and tools you need to take on any challenge you’re facing – for everything from homelessness to finding a job, from money to mental health, from break-ups to drugs. We’re a free and confidential multi-channel service. That means that you choose how you access our support, without the worry of anyone else finding out. Whether it be through our articles and video content online or our phone, email, peer to peer and counselling services – we put the control in your hands. You can even volunteer with us too.

ChildLine is a counselling service for children and young people. You can contact ChildLine in these ways: You can phone on 0800 1111, send us an email, have a 1-2-1 chat with us, send a message to Ask Sam and you can post messages to the ChildLine message boards. You can contact ChildLine about anything - no problem is too big or too small. If you are feeling scared or out of control or just want to talk to someone you can contact ChildLine.

You are protected by law against sexual harassment at work. This includes both men and women. It also includes people who are undergoing, have undergone or who are intending to undergo gender reassignment. This is where you are changing from one sex to another. Sexual harassment could include: unwelcome comments of a sexual nature, unnecessary touching or unwanted physical contact, leering at someone's body, displaying offensive material such as posters and sending offensive e-mails.

Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect at work. Bullying and harassment of any kind are in no-one's interest and should not be tolerated in the workplace, but if you are being bullied or harassed it can be difficult to know what to do about it. This leaflet gives employees basic information about bullying and harassment. Summarises the responsibilities of employers. Outlines some of the options open to you and points you to sources of further information and advice.